Ever hear, “If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying”? As an offensive lineman, I would justify holding by saying, “It’s only cheating once you get caught.” In football, holding by an offensive lineman is considered the same as driving a little over the speed limit. Yes, it is breaking a rule, but it is expected and everyone does it.

As a player, I held almost every play; and as a coach, I taught how to not get caught. Then a colleague informed me that allowing my players to hold is allowing them to be lazy. Holding can compensate for slow feet, lack of strength, and poor technique. Premeditated holding is ethically wrong, a form of cheating, and creates a slacker attitude. God wants, expects, and deserves our best.

Whether cheating on an exam, at work, or on the field, we are not just cheating ourselves out of being more educated, more trusted, or a better athlete; we are missing out on God’s blessing. Diligent preparation and practice reduces the temptation to cheat. The risk in cheating can range from a 10-yard penalty to the destruction of a 10-year marriage; but the reward of God’s inheritance is immeasurable. There aren’t many drivers obeying the speed limit and even fewer linemen playing a clean game, but that is why we walk a narrow road. Playing without holding requires hard work and discipline, but so does living a life that honors God.